Academies

Supporting schools during challenging times

Academy Trusts

BHP is the natural choice for academy trusts throughout Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. Our dedicated team is led by 3 partners and based in our various offices throughout the region. We currently audit over 30 academy trusts, more than half of which are now multi-academy trusts. They include church academies, special schools, free schools and sixth form colleges.

We provide annual compliance services

Assistance with preparation of annual accounts and trustees report

Audit work under Companies Act and regularity audit work as required by the ESFA

Assistance with completion and certification of ESFA Annual Accounts Return

Review of Budget Forecast Returns

Audit of contributions to Teachers Pension Scheme

Teaching schools – certification of grant returns to the National College for Teaching and Learning

Internal audit work for the Audit Committee

Review of compliance with Academies Financial Handbook

We also support our clients with tax and advisory services

VAT advice and support

Advice on corporation tax status of generated income and on establishment of trading subsidiary company if necessary

Employment taxes – advice and support

Financial due diligence in relation to schools joining a trust; or the trust which a school is proposing to join

Training for academy trustees, governors and members of Senior Leadership Teams

Conversion to academy status is a big step

We assist and support schools during the conversion process

Advising organisational structure in a new Multi-Academy Trusts

Choosing a suitable accounting system and structuring the chart of accounts to make the production of financial reports and ESFA returns as easy as possible

Development of appropriate management accounts and other periodic financial reports

Support to the finance team as it develops necessary additional skills

Review and advice on financial regulations

Kreston International Academies Benchmarking Report

We are a member of Kreston International, a network of leading independent firms of Chartered Accountants from around the world. The UK Kreston firms provide advisory and compliance services to over 300 academy trusts and free schools. This enables us to provide the most comprehensive benchmarking survey for academies each year.

Call one of our dedicated partners on 0333 123 7171 for more information as to how BHP’s academies team can help you.